Has prepping your wardrobe for spring/summer suddenly made you question your style?

According to the stylists, body shape is as much, if not more, of a factor than age when it comes to fashion choices.

Hunter-Gatherer creative director Jan O’Loughlin said sleeveless tops worked well on women who had a great set of arms.

“It’s really all about tone and definition, but if bingo wings prevail — stay well away, regardless of your age group, ” she said.

As a general rule of thumb, she recommends mothers avoid dressing like their teenage daughters.

“Better still — don’t take your daughter’s advice either. What works for her won’t work for you, even if she thinks you look cool. When you get her approval, you know it’s more than time to move on.”

When a wardrobe crisis strikes, she suggests calling in a stylist, to help reboot your look.

The switch to a spring/summer wardrobe has many women wondering about shorts.

“I think those super-short shorts, the type you see girls wearing to festivals that I nickname ‘denim diapers’, shouldn’t be worn by anybody, really, ” declared All of the Above creative stylist Hannah McGrath.

“Really girls, if the pockets are hanging out the bottom of your shorts, they’re too short! Apart from those, I think all the colourful and printed shorts are fun and so versatile this summer, so if you’ve got the knees for it, flaunt them. And if not, there are so many awesome chinos and lightweight trousers around right now in the same on-trend colours and prints, so you needn’t feel like you’re missing out.”

Another top trend of the season is the peplum dress. The big question is, can anyone wear them?

“If you’re pear-shaped, I’d definitely steer clear, as the cut will only emphasise your hips and make you look bottom heavy. If you have a more slight or athletic physique, and want to give yourself a bit more waist definition and curve, peplum dresses are perfect. They’re really helpful for girls who want to achieve that sexy 1950s silhouette, but perhaps don’t naturally have that Christina Hendricks voluptuousness.”

And mini skirts? “It would be silly to draw a line in the sand and say ‘anyone over this age can’t wear mini skirts’, as I’ve seen women in their 50s with legs better than some 20-year-olds, it all depends on you and what you feel comfortable wearing, ” Ms McGrath said.

Ms O’Loughlin said that, regardless of your age, if clothing was not making the most out of your body shape, then you really shouldn’t be buying it.

“Once you have a complete understanding of your shape and the knowledge to know how to dress for it, then age will follow as a factor. I think that all women, regardless of their body shape, budget and lifestyle, have a right to feel good about themselves, regardless of their age.

“Trends are driven over time but a woman’s lifestyle ultimately drives her style. You can be a teenage girl very classically minded or a mature woman wanting an edgy feel — it’s all about how you achieve these looks with body shape and age in mind.”

 

© The West Australian

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